Commercial Fitness Home Fitness

Author: Angie Tinsley

Everything You Need to Know About OPAT

Posted on by Angie Tinsley

In February 2016, it was announced that there would be new Occupational Physical Assessment Test (OPAT) required for incoming soldiers into the army. If you are going into the military or are planning on it, here’s what you need to know:

What is OPAT?

The OPAT is used to determine a soldier’s career path based on their individual fitness level. For April_Week_3_Residentialexample, if they want to serve in a specific branch, they will have to be able to meet the standard. If they cannot, then they are recommended to a branch that better fits their capabilities.

It is designed to be gender-neutral, allowing for women to occupy positions that were closed to them in the past. The OPAT is different from other tests in that it establishes a baseline fitness profile for recruits that doesn’t discriminate based on age or gender.

Finally, OPAT is used to predict a recruit’s physical capability to perform the tasks assigned to them like heavy lifting or hiking far distances. The physical capability of recruits and soldier to perform the tasks set to them affects the military at large. If they aren’t physically fit, then they cannot do their jobs or serve effectively, it can be lethal if they go overseas. The priority is to make sure that recruits and soldiers can do the job and be safe.

What Will OPAT Consist Of?

The new OPAT test will consist of four exercises designed to test upper and lower body strength in addition to a soldier’s aerobic fitness:

According to TRADOC, “think of the OPAT as the ASVAB for physical aptitude, predicting whether or not a recruit will be physically able to succeed in a combat arms occupation by the end of their training.”

How Can You Prepare?

You can prepare for the OPAT by working with a fitness trainer who can help you determine what areas you need to improve in and give you advice like:

With that in mind, it’s advised that you practice the above exercises so you will know how to perform them safely and to the best of your ability. It is also important to remember not to overtrain. Overtraining can be harmful and by doing the same exercises over and over again you will not be challenging your body.

Instead, train by doing a variety of exercises that will challenge your body and keep your workouts from getting boring. Keep a healthy balance of strength and cardio for a strong, balanced workout.

Up Next: Get Jacked Ladies! Why You Should Not be Afraid of Building Muscle

How Treadmills Have Changed Since the 1970s

Posted on by Angie Tinsley

From their conception in the 1800s, treadmills have gone through quite the changes over the years. Here’s how they’ve changed since the 1970s and TRUE’s role in their advances.

A Bleak Beginning

Believe it or not, the first treadmill was developed in 1800 England—and it was not for recreation. Treadmills were used as punishments for prisoners and to power mills. Eventually, they were banned in 1898 under the Prison Act.

Medical Benefits Realized

Later, they later reemerged in the 1950s as medical devices to assess cardiovascular health, thanks to Dr. Robert A. Bruce. Dr. Bruce had patients run on an inclined treadmill with electrodes attached to their chest to monitor the EKG while the speed and incline of the treadmill were increased. This test, combined with the treadmill, was—and still is—used to detect evidence of:

Treadmills in the Home & the Rise of Health Clubs

It wasn’t until the running boom of the 1970s, that treadmills really got their start in the home fitness industry. Treadmills were marketed by William Staub and Dr. Kenneth Cooper through Aerobics Inc. as an easy way to get in aerobic exercise. Treadmills at this time were much simpler, consisting of the track and being able to turn it off and on.

TRUE Fitness Builds on Treadmill Basics

TRUE Fitness got its start in treadmills when it was founded in 1981 and introduced several new innovations for treadmills like:

  • Variable speeds
  • Heart Rate Control
  • Soft Select
  • Removable safety keys
  • Orthopedic belts

Going High-Tech

Then in the early 2000s, LifeFitness introduced the first treadmill with an LCD touch screen that was integrated into the treadmill itself. From there, commercial treadmills have gotten progressively more hi-tech and cutting edge to accommodate users. Treadmills can now:

To this day, TRUE Fitness works to make new developments in the treadmill to make it the best piece of fitness equipment it can be, making workouts enjoyable.

Browse TRUE Fitness’s Selection of Modern Treadmills Today

3 Spring Activities that Give You a Workout

Posted on by Angie Tinsley

The spring season is a great time to open the windows, get out of the house and start sprucing up the yard and the house. Not only does it feel good to get rid of any unused items and clean up the yard after a harsh winter, but these activities are a great form of exercise as well! Stay active this spring while knocking a few chores off the list at the same time by completing these, and many more activities: Continue reading “3 Spring Activities that Give You a Workout”

3 “Eureka!” Moments to Feel Proud of Your Progress

Posted on by Angie Tinsley

Setting fitness goals for yourself and finding the motivation to regularly hit the gym is exciting. However, results will take a little time to start to show, so don’t let yourself become discouraged if you aren’t seeing them as quickly as you’d like. Instead of becoming discouraged and impatient, take a look these reassuring aspects that will restore your fitness motivation along the way: Continue reading “3 “Eureka!” Moments to Feel Proud of Your Progress”

3 Signs a New Fitness Fad is a Fraud

Posted on by Angie Tinsley

Americans spend billions of dollars each year on products that claim to help them lose weight or get into shape fast. But are these fitness fads the real deal or just fraud? Here are three ways you can help determine if a fitness fad is too good to be true:

It Promises Instant Results

One of the first ways to tell if a fitness fad is a fraud is to look at its claims. Does it promise results with little to no work on your part? If so, it’s most likely a fraud, as there is no such thing as an “instant result” in fitness. Losing 10 pounds a week may seem like a good thing, but losing weight that fast is extremely bad for you. Unless you are very overweight, losing many pounds per week means risking:

You Only See It on Television

Are you seeing a piece of equipment or a supplement “recommended by doctors” only on late-night television or talk shows? That’s a good indicator that it’s a fraud. In fact, many of the supplements and equipment you see there have unsubstantiated claims that have resulted in court rulings by the FTC. If you see something and think that it’s too good to be true, it usually is.

It Contains No Health Warnings

Many fitness fads don’t always come with a warning of potentially dangerous side effects, so you could endangering yourself without knowing it. For example, green tea extract, which is widely used in weight loss supplements, can cause liver damage in some individuals if taken too much.

Another example is DIY plastic stomach wraps, which are very popular on sites like Pinterest. The idea is to lose “up to an inch overnight” by slathering lotion on your stomach, wrapping yourself in plastic wrap, and then a bandage wrap before going to sleep. What these sites don’t tell you is that plastic body wraps cause you to sweat over-excessively, which can be dangerous.

So before you start any weight loss or exercise program, talk to your doctor. They’ll be able to help you determine what is best for you and monitor your progress to make sure you’re staying safe.

Learn More About Choosing the Right Equipment

Steer Clear of These 3 Fitness Marketing Schemes

Posted on by Angie Tinsley

The fitness industry has taken off at an incredible rate over the last few years. The rise in popularity has given many brands of products and services within the health and fitness industry the opportunity to follow suit. But how can you tell which products are legitimate and which ones are simply designed to dupe you? To make it a bit easier, check out these few fitness marketing schemes that don’t truly represent the results they are promising: Continue reading “Steer Clear of These 3 Fitness Marketing Schemes”

4 Exercises You Can Do With Your Toddler

Posted on by Angie Tinsley

You exercised while you were pregnant and stayed fit after your baby was born. Now that your child is a toddler, you’re wondering how you can squeeze in your workouts while meeting the demands of being a parent. It’s simple: incorporate your toddler into your exercise routine. You’ll get your exercise in for the day while spending quality time with your toddler. Continue reading “4 Exercises You Can Do With Your Toddler”

Everything You Need to Know About Weight Loss Supplements

Posted on by Angie Tinsley

Everyone wants to lose weight fast and what better and easier way to do that than taking a pill just a few times a day? Think again. Before you hop on board the weight loss supplement bandwagon, here is some important information you need to know. Continue reading “Everything You Need to Know About Weight Loss Supplements”